Sekhukhune United claimed their second win in the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon.
With their perfect start ended in midweek by Magesi FC, the visitors looked to bounce back in style and recalled Knox Mutizwa ahead of Lungelo Nguse before Sekhukhune gave on-loan Sipho Mbule his first start since joining.
Babina Noko took just three minutes to get settled in and were ahead when a free-kick taken by Keletso Makgalwa coincided with Tresor Yamba Yama Tshibwabwa who headed in.
Abafana Besthende could've gone on level terms minutes after going behind with a first-time volley by Olwethu Ncube from sloppy defending sailed narrowly over the top.
Opportunities didn't stop come the way of Abafana Besthende soon thereafter, but the Limpopo outfit aided ably assisted by goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare weathered the storm.
Mutizwa and Brandon Theron combined to unlock the home team a little later on, however a stern defensive guard held the boys from the KwaZulu-Natal province at bay.
Two substitutions before the second half commenced by Abafana Besthende had Nguse in for Thabani Zuke before Blessing Mchunu filled in for Ncube.
Babina Noko remained in complete ascendancy five minutes in the second half and extended the lead when new signing Mcedisi Vandala applied a smart finish as Arrows went to sleep.
Zimbabwean veteran Mutizwa was extremely close to hand his charges a route back through a rasping header from a pin-point delivery, but an excellent stop from Sangare denied him.
Abafana Besthende continued to battle away in the latter stages, but Babina Noko courted their every threat and sustained ascendancy overall.
Given the pressure, Babina Noko didn't crack but remained resilient and ended up with the win to edge closer to the pace-setters whilst it's another loss for Arrows.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Tshibwabwa, Langa, Ngcobo, Mogaila, Mkhize, Monare, Boyeli, Makgalwa, Mbule, Vandala
Subs: Kazapua, Mkhabela, Baartman, Mohamme, Ohizu, Mtsali, Mntambo, Ashby, Mncube
Golden Arrows: Maova, Phillips , Shitolo, Mantshiyane, Theron, Zuke, Dube, Zwane, Sibiya, Ncube , Mutizwa
Subs: Watenga, S.Cele , Mchunu, B.Cele, Dlamini, Malinga, Masuku,Nguse,Lukhele